Call to action for Water, Energy, and Food Security

31 January 2013 | News story

IUCN and the International Water Association (IWA) today launch the Nexus Dialogue on Water Infrastructure Solutions.The goal is to building partnerships for innovation in water, food, and energy security.

The Dialogue recognises how the close interaction between water, energy and food - the nexus - has led to new demands for water infrastructure and technology solutions. Water, energy and food security all rely on water infrastructure, such as wetlands, watersheds, rivers and floodplains. Projections show that in 2050 global population will have increased to 9 billion people and 70% more food will be needed. Over 70% of global water availability is used for agricultural production. Electricity generated from water, hydropower, provides 20% of the world’s electricity and is the main energy source for more than 30 countries.

Considering such statistics, the Nexus Dialogue or the integrated approach on Water-Energy-Food security is a call to action to those leading transformations in water infrastructure planning, financing and operation. It provides a forum for sharing experiences, lessons, tools and guidelines on how portfolios of water infrastructure and technologies can address the challenge of sustained provision of water, energy and food for the future.

Innovative professionals in farming, energy-production, natural resource management, and engineering have the experience and hold practical knowledge to address this challenge, however it may not be shared or be accessible. Working across sectors, the Nexus Dialogue will provide the unique opportunity to share the experiences available and solutions emerging around the world.